Emacs Keys: Menu Key
On most Windows keyboards, there's the ▤ Menu key, also known as App key. This page shows you how to use that key in emacs, on linux or Mac or Windows.
![ms surface book menu key 2016](i/ms_surface_book_menu_key_2016.jpg)
Menu key on Microsoft Windows
On Microsoft Windows, by default, the menu key does nothing.
Under Windows, the menu key has the syntax "<apps>"
You can set it to do execute-extended-command
;; make the menu key do M-x (when (eq system-type 'windows-nt) (global-set-key (kbd "<apps>") 'execute-extended-command))
;; make the menu key do M-x ;; emacs 29 new keybinding syntax (when (eq system-type 'windows-nt) (keymap-global-set "<apps>" 'execute-extended-command))
Menu Key in Linux
In Linux GNU emacs, by default, ▤ Menu key invokes execute-extended-command
Under linux, the menu key has the syntax "<menu>"
Menu key on Mac
On Mac OS X, if you are using a Windows keyboard, the ▤ Menu key sends Ctrl+p by default.
How to fix menu key on the Mac?
Use a keyboard tool to remap key at operating system level. [see Mac: Keyboard Software Guide]